- Instrument: AMG Contributor
Biography
I was born in 1955 in the small New England town of Sabattus, Maine. 1955 was a powerful year for music, especially rock 'n roll, so I've always felt attracted, maybe even compelled, to make music my life. My father was a lead guitarist for a number of local bands, never going anywhere because his booze was his life, music was just a way to get free booze. He had talent, but sometimes talent just isn't enough. I started my musical career playing the drums in my dad's band. After a few years of the club scene, I found myself falling into the same groove my dad was in. So I called it quits and took up the guitar seriously, studying under some influential jazz guitarists. My musical career began taking off in 1989 with some studio gigs backing up local musicians and sitting in on some concert appearances. I traveled to forty-one states, picking up gigs in studios and live venues. Then I met my wife and decided to come back to Maine because I felt it was a good place to raise a family. Then a tragedy occurred in my life. I came down with a disorder that has left me home-bound. Not being able to perform was very difficult for me, but having taken a few journalism classes in college, I decided to start writing music reviews. I then started writing reviews for some local mags and eventually began writing my own e-zine online, Downeast Reviews. This e-zine is still operating, but now I want to spread the word even further by joining AMG. I reside in Sabattus, Maine, with my wife, two children, two dogs, a cat and any occasional strays that happen along. I still lay down tracks in my home studio, most of it just to pay the bills. I hope to bring a new and fresh insight into the music I review for AMG.List for Desert Isle.
My collection of Surf records which includes Ventures, Dick Dale, Surfaris and many other bands.
My collection of guitarists records which includes Lenny Breau, Les Paul, Chet Atkins and much more.
Cajun records by Buckwheat Zydeco, Michael Doucet w/Beausoleil, Chubby Carrier, Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, and Rockin' Sydney.
Blues records by BB King, Howling Wolf, Arlo West, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Etta James and many others.
What would be the greatest would be to find a new CD in a bottle washed up on the beach. I want to hear all the new releases time allows.
Thanks. ~ Larry Belanger, All Music Guide
